Blue World

This is truly an outstanding collection of horror short stories. Each story within this collection has the power to send shivers down your spine and keep you on the edge of your seat.

The authors have masterfully crafted tales that are filled with suspense, mystery, and unexpected twists. The vivid descriptions and engaging narratives draw you in and make you feel as if you are a part of the horror.

Whether you are a die-hard horror fan or just looking for a thrilling read, this collection is sure to satisfy. It is a must-have for anyone who enjoys being scared and entertained.

Overall, I would highly recommend this collection of horror short stories to anyone. It earns a well-deserved 5/5 rating and is definitely worth adding to your bookshelf.

So, if you're ready to experience some hair-raising horror, pick up this collection and prepare to be scared out of your wits!

Edited 12.27.13 after the third read.

I began by jotting down notes on each story that I deemed to be above average, as you can observe below...

The initial story in this collection truly blew me away. It was uncannily similar to an episode of The Twilight Zone. The bees! 5*

Edited: It turns out that this actually WAS a Twilight Zone magazine story in 1986.

The second story, "Makeup", paid homage to the horror films of yesteryear, with numerous references to a previous Robert McCammon novel, They Thirst. 4*

"Nightcrawlers" - a weighty story about a Nam vet dosed with a chemical named Howdy Doody. 4*

Edited: This was adapted for the small screen by the new Twilight Zone show. You can watch the episode online at You Tube for free here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITl2BB...

Edited to add a few words about the story "Yellachile's Cage". This story is worthy enough to merit its own mention here. A prison story, somewhat reminiscent of The Shawshank Redemption, with its message of hope.

Edited to add a few words about the story "Pin". Apparently, Pin was made into a short film by a student named Christian Frahme. This story was so disturbing that I couldn't bring myself to watch the film. In case you would like to after reading "Pin", here is a link to the film:

http://vimeo.com/19771743

"Night Calls the Green Falcon" had me in tears, as did the last novella Blue World.

...then I came to the realization that every story in this collection is above average. Well, all but one of these tales deeply resonated with me.

Robert McCammon will always be one of my favorite authors. Regardless of the subject matter, the power of his writing always manages to shine through.

A five, a couple of fours, and a handful of threes.

Night Calls the Green Falcon offers a truly fantastic and deeply touching exploration of the forgotten dreams that lie beneath the iconic Hollywood sign. When a retired serial actor embarks on a quest to solve the murder of his young neighbor, he, along with a small group of individuals who have fallen through the cracks of society, rediscovers the power of fantasy. In their search for the killer, they find themselves transformed.

Yellowjacket Summer is a creepy yet not overly long read. He’ll Come Knocking At Your Door, Doom city, and The Red House are creative 50s horror comic inspirations with a dark sense of humor. Blue World is a melancholy novella about a priest who falls in love with a porno actress who also happens to be a target of a serial killer. It starts off a bit strange and grungy but gradually evolves into something approaching beauty.

There are a few other works that are more like odd little gems. Pin is really just a very dark dramatic monologue, and Yellachile’s Cage has a decent concept but hasn't aged as well as some. McCammon’s prose remains strong throughout, and there is a greater variety of tones here than one might expect, ranging from the silly and spooky to the serious and bittersweet. Apparently, there is a Subterranean Press version that includes three additional stories.

This is truly one of the best collections out there.

It encompasses a wide range of items that are both unique and captivating.

Each piece in the collection has been carefully curated, showing great attention to detail and a discerning eye for quality.

Whether it's the rare antiques, the exquisite works of art, or the one-of-a-kind collectibles, there is something for everyone to admire and appreciate.

The collection not only showcases the beauty and craftsmanship of the items but also tells a story of their history and significance.

It is a testament to the passion and dedication of the collector who has spent years amassing this remarkable assemblage.

Visitors to the collection are sure to be impressed and inspired by the wealth of treasures on display.

It is a must-see for anyone with an interest in art, history, or simply beautiful things.

Overall, this collection is a true gem and a worthy addition to any list of the world's greatest collections.

Blue World by Robert McCammon

January 11 - January 15, 2015

Buddy read from Goodreads HR

Here we have a story that delves into the nightmare that an XXX-rated lifestyle can bring. A beautiful girl meets a tragic end when she is shot through the head while satisfying her killer. How creepy is that? Her friend, Debby, who is also involved in this lifestyle, is deeply upset and frightened. When she discovers what has happened, she turns to a priest and participates in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. However, in reality, she just wants to talk to someone she thought she could trust about it. But can she truly trust Fr. John? Is he really the loyal priest she believes him to be? Only time will tell.

Once again, Mr. McCammon does not disappoint this reader. The story is expertly written, with character development that is rich enough for three novels. The author takes us on a thrilling ride through the streets of San Francisco, as if on a ten-speed bicycle. We get a sense of the diverse neighborhoods that make up this city, both the good and the bad. We meet the friends and enemies of our two protagonists. We also learn about the secondary problems associated with the X-rated lifestyle and the temptations faced by a good and holy priest.

For me, this story is a profound study of God's love for all of us, regardless of how far we may have fallen into the depths of sin. God is always ready to forgive and forget the transgressions of those who have sinned, no matter the circumstances. Most importantly, God has the power to change the hardest of hearts and turn the worst of circumstances into something wonderfully courageous.

I highly recommend this book to any Christian who is open-minded and willing to see how God can work in our lives if we only allow it. One can also see in this book how sin can insidiously creep into someone's otherwise holy life, almost unnoticed until it is almost too late. In this novel, God works in mysterious ways. Maybe it's not exactly what McCammon intended, but it's certainly what I took away from the book.

FIVE brightly colored stars for this entertaining and uplifting book.

It is a must-read for those who are interested in exploring the themes of sin, redemption, and God's love.

The vivid descriptions and engaging characters make this story a truly captivating read.

Whether you are a devout Christian or simply someone who enjoys a good story, Blue World is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Great collection! However, one might wonder why the long story? The only real drawback I find with this otherwise enjoyable collection is the last story, "Blue World". In fact, it's more of a novella and thus doesn't fit well with the preceding 12 short stories. It disrupts the rhythm established by the previous tales and, while an interesting story in its own right, is completely out of context.

It tells the story of a priest, John Lancaster, who finds himself attracted to the blue movie phenomenon, Debra Rocks, and the moral dilemma that follows. At around 200 pages long, this story, although initially interesting and amusing, soon runs out of steam after the "will he or won't he" premise loses its appeal.

In contrast, "Night Calls the Green Falcon" is a work of pure magic! Creighton Flint, an old retired movie star, was in his prime the star of afternoon movies and, in particular, the black and white weekly adventure series. When his neighbour and friend is murdered, the old and somewhat weary Green Falcon is called back into action. He must don his outfit and hunt for The Fliptop Killer. The real genius of this story lies in the way Robert McCammon divides the action into chapters, each ending with a nail-biting, dastardly misadventure, much like the old black and white movies of yesteryear.

"Yellowjacket Summer" is not a story for those with a bee phobia. The author effectively uses both the desert heat and the fear of yellowjacket bees in this "stinger" of a story.

"Nightcrawlers" is a tale of murder and intrigue that takes place in Cheryl's diner and the mystery that unfolds with the arrival of a Vietnam veteran named Price. Nightmares, mental awareness, and the fear of the unknown are themes hidden within.

"He'll come knocking at your door" is a very clever tale in which Dan Burgess lives the ideal life with a beautiful wife and daughter. But when he is summoned to an urgent Halloween meeting with some town locals, he discovers that there is no such thing as a free ride. This is a wonderful story with spooky folk lore overtones.

Virgil Sykes and his odd family move into their newly painted "The Red House". What is the significance of the colour red? Why does it upset Bobby Deaken so much? How is Sykes able to work faster and smarter than all his colleagues? All will be revealed in this quirky, bubbly, and fun tale.

Overall, it's a great collection that would have been even better if "Blue World", the final story, had either been replaced or edited to better fit the collection.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Yellowjacket Summer" tells the story of a mother and her two kids who stop at a rural gas station. Little do they know, they will encounter problems far greater than the sweltering heat.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Makeup" follows a small-time thief who steals a dead horror star's makeup case. Soon enough, he discovers that the contents inside are much more than just ordinary makeup.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Doom City" centers around a man who wakes up one morning to find a skeleton in his bed where his wife had been the previous night.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Nightcrawlers" features a Vietnam veteran who comes looking for shelter from both the storm and the haunting nightmares of his past.

⭐⭐⭐ "Pin" presents the disturbing ravings of a madman.

⭐⭐⭐ "Yellachile's Cage" shows how a young man in prison finds hope within the confines of his imagination.

⭐⭐⭐ "I Scream Man" tells of a man who suffers from uncontrollable hallucinations.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ "He'll Come Knocking at Your Door" reveals that the devil arrives on Halloween to trick-or-treat and collect what is owed to him.

"Chico"

"Night Calls the Green Falcon" is about a retired cinema superhero who takes up his cape once again to hunt down the murderer of a real-life prostitute.

"The Red House"

"Something Passed By" describes a world where water becomes combustible, concrete turns to quicksand, and people rapidly age or regress to infancy.

"Blue World" follows Father John Lancaster as he battles the temptations of the flesh and becomes a better priest while saving the life of a cocaine-snorting porn queen.

"Strange Candy"

"White"

"Children of the Bedtime Machine"

A truly fascinating collection awaits within the pages of this work, penned by perhaps my most beloved author. It presents a wonderful assortment of short stories that are sure to captivate any reader. I found myself thoroughly enjoying every single one of them. However, among the gems, my absolute favorites were "Nightcrawlers", "Night Cries the Blue Falcon", and "Doom City". The latter is a tale that has a distinct Twilight Zone-esque feel to it, which I found particularly enticing. In fact, it could be argued that all of the stories in this collection share a similar atmosphere and charm. McCammon has once again proven himself to be a master storyteller, never failing to deliver engaging and thought-provoking narratives.

Highly recommended for all lovers of short stories and those who appreciate great writing. This collection is sure to become a cherished addition to any bookshelf.